Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-01
Matters OF More OF Less Interest to All

eral millions more. Its failure has cost the
government many thousands of dollars and
has caused great distress 10 many thousands
of persons whose just claims the government
has been unable to pay, despite the big sur
plus about which everybody is talking.
Among the items are some POO, amounting
10 about 500, 900, for the payment of judg-
ments and awards TO Wisconsin farmers,
whose property was damaged or ruined by
government officers. Another class of items
still more numerous, consists of judgments
of the Court of Claims, amounting to some
$500 900, $50, ,0e0 of which is on account of
French spoliation claims, which date from
the beginning of the century.
Another large class of claims provided for
in the bill, all of which have been adjusted
and allowed by the accounting officers of the
treasury, relates to the war. The items are
not large in any case, but most of the claim
ants are persons in poor circumstances, to
whom $50 or 500 is large sum. For ex-
ample, there was an item of Sl46, 900 for
pay of two and three years volunteers; one
of sl63 900 for bounty to volunteers and
their widows and legal heirs" The beuifi-
ciaries have waited twenty-seven years or
more for the payment of these claims. The
volunteers did not wait as many days when
Inv Nitll stlNlttss
Another item of $50, 900 was to pay ex-
penses rendered necessary by the passage of
the oleomargarine law. There was an item
of Sl75 900 to increase the water supply of
Washington, the failure of which has not
only delayed the work, but will make a still
larger appropriation necessary. Three items
amounting in the aggregate to S26l 900 were
to complete the construction and armament
of the three steel cruisers, known as the
Roach cruisers There were large de-
ticiencies on account of the postal service
one item of SO 900 was to execute the act
for the extension of the free delivery service
one of $3.50 600 was for the payment of sala-
res of clerks in postoilices; one of 10000
was for transportation of mails. An item of
$4,000 was for the payment of Deficiencies
on account of salaries of United States Dis
trict Judges.
1t would seem to be the first duty of the
incoming congress to take up and pass the
Deficiency bill, but there is little probability
that anythingNill be done with it for months
to come. MEANWHILE the creditors of th1
Government must wait, despite an overflow
ing treasury. For this they may thank q
democratic House of Representatives.
\ call is announced for caucus of the
Democratic members of the house on Satur-
day evening to nominate officers of the house
te to be elected on Monday, which will be
prepared to be authoritatively published
tomorrow.
The Post tomorrow will present series of
interviews with nearly 100 members of Con-
gress upon questions to be presented for its
action at the coming session particularly re-
latng to the tariff. reduction of the surplus
revenues, postal telegraph. The Post will
summarize the interviews as follows:
Speaker Carlisle believes in the immediate
reduction of the surplus revenues, in redur-
ing the taxes which produce these revenues
at least S70,o00, 900 annually.
His democratic followers who voted with
Morrison in the last Congress generally take
the same position.
OF the few democrats vino sided with Ran
dali, now in the city McAdoo, Stahlnecker
wilkins, Merriam and Lawler are quoted as
experiencing a somewhat change of heart and
sentimental.
Northwestern Congressman are free trade
III sentiment.
The democratic representatives from Min
ncsota and Michigan have the highest conf
dence that their two States can be made
democratic upon the revenue reform issue.
Lyman of Ohio, representative protection
ist, comes out for a reduction of revenue.
Many other prominent republicans like
LYMAN agree that something must be done
with tariff, though few like Sawyer and Ba-
con of New York, and Jackson of Pennsyl-
vania think nothing can be done thus session.
MANY ways of reducing the surplus are sug-
gested. Quite a number of Congressman,
including Cathings of Mississippi, Shively OF
Indiana, Taulber and Caruth of Kentucky
and Abbott of Texas, favor compromise such
as taking tax off tobacco but prefer reducing
the tax on fruits and brandies.
The proposition to take the tax off whiskey
hardly finds a supporter The question of
putting sugar on the free list finds some ad
vocates, mainly among republicans The
Louisiana Congressman to whom this is
very vital question say their State is divided
the northern portion favor free sugar, anC
the gulf section opposed.
Democratic sentiment is largely in favor
of increasing the free list adding to it salt
lumber. and other necessares.
Representative Bynum of Indiana thinks
good bill to reduce the tariff can be passe'
without the support of Randall. and adds tina
the republicans of the West and Northwes
begin to feel they cannot longer oppose sucl
measures with political safety.
Representative Turner of Kansas come
forward with new proposition to subsidiz'
exported grains,
Quite number OF congressman are II
favor of a democratic caucus before th'
tariff matter comes up in the house.
Views on the postal telegraph are boil
divers interesting. Unlike the tariff it is no
a party question. Representatives who fayo
it are quite numerous.
Whtsehorne of Tennessee thinks the gov
ernment can support the telegraphic systen
as they did the postal system, beginning wit
wires between large cities
Representative jackson of Pennsylvani
favors am experimental line between Phila
delphia and New York. Browne of Indian